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CAMARGUE AND CORSICA two beautiful destinations in one exciting trip French folklore and literature are strewn with tales and references to the wil d Corsican Nuthatch white horses, the gypsies and the fighting bulls for which the Camargue is famed. The most discerning birdwatcher will, however, find that the region has even more to offer. There is a very satisfying range of habitats, from reedbeds and marshes to open stony plains. Add to these riparian woodland, limestone hills and imposing mountains and you will appreciate why this is one of our most popular destinations. Breathtaking mountain scenery, scented hillsides, an interesting coastline and unique birdlife combine to make Corsica one of the most attractive Mediterranean islands. The Camargue and Corsica complement each other perfectly. We will spend five nights at Arles, just north of the Camargue, visiting all the sites we have come to love in this part of Provence. On day six we will catch a flight to Ajaccio, spending three nights at Corte in Corsica’s mountainous interior. ITINERARY Spectacled and Fan-tailed Warblers. They are, however, drowned out by three of the loudest songsters, Great Reed CAMARGUE Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and Nightingale. Having arrived at Nice we will make the two and a half hour drive to Arles, our base for the first five nights. Marsh Harriers hunt low over the reedbeds to the concern of We discovered the Hotel des Granges back in 1990. It is in nesting ducks, which include Red-crested Pochard, Garganey the perfect location for visits to the Camargue, Les Alpilles, and Shelduck. For anyone new to foreign birdwatching the La Crau and Mont Ventoux. sight of large numbers of Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Purple Herons and Night Herons with the occasional Squacco Heron During our time here we will spend two days in the famous or Little Bittern is simply wonderful. That is not to say that the Rhone Delta, the Camargue. The area is dominated by the seasoned traveller will not be equally impressed. However, Etang de Vaccares, a large inland sea. It is nowhere deep, they will probably be more concerned with finding a range of and provides a perfect habitat for wading birds, notably scarce visitors such as Great White Egret, Glossy Ibis, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and Little Egret, with Kentish Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull or White-winged Plover in the drier areas. The southern part of the vast Black Tern. complex of lakes is where the Camargue’s most famous bird, the Greater Flamingo nests. The 14,000 pair colony will be a To the east of the Camargue is a stony desert-like area, hive of activity at the time of our visit and flights of these known as La Crau. Once the delta of the River Durance, the wonderful birds will be a regular sight, leaving a lasting area is now very dry and has been taken over by sheep memory with all visitors. Equally interesting, if not so farmers. Three species of shrike are possible; Red-backed, spectacular, are the many other birds which breed in this Woodchat and Southern Grey. Birds of prey are often area. Bitterns are heard and occasionally glimpsed as they fly encountered, the most common being the ubiquitous Black low over a reedbed. Gull-billed, Whiskered and Black Terns Kite. Common Buzzards, Short-toed Eagles and Montagu's can be watched feeding over the marshes. A whole host of Harriers frequent this area too. species compete for the sound waves including Melodious, Little Bustards will be seen displaying on a morning visit and Scenically even more stunning and remote than Restonica, we may also see the superb Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, a bird on the valley at Asco offers us another chance of those high the very edge of its range. In contrast to the rather pale brown altitude specialities such as Lammergeier, Corsican Citril plumage of most birds here, the striking metallic blue Roller Finch, Golden Eagle and Alpine Chough. However, the main and stunning Bee-eater will add a welcome splash of colour. prize here is the endemic Corsican Nuthatch which breeds in good numbers in areas of mature Corsican Pine. This smart To the north of the Camargue the beautiful limestone hills of bird is fairly inconspicuous in behaviour, although its Les Alpilles are famous for their ancient remains, particularly distinctive calls should help us to locate it. Related to both the spectacular rock fortress of Les Baux. Set against these Kruper's and Algerian Nuthatch, this active little bird is found impressive ruins we will watch superb Alpine Swifts hurtling nowhere else in the world. across the skies. Birds of prey are frequent here and with a little luck we will see Bonelli's and Short-toed Eagles and On one afternoon we will drive to the north coast. Egyptian Vulture. Mediterranean Shags sit on rocks by the surf and Scopoli’s and Yelkouan Shearwaters can be seen offshore. Nearby We have rarely failed to find the magnificent Eagle Owls hills are covered in extensive maquis scrub, home to a which breed in the area. Luck has been on our side in recent number of interesting birds. Marmora's Warbler is the prize years with the discovery of an Eagle Owl site just 15 minutes bird; they should be showing themselves well at the time of from our hotel, where we have been treated to excellent our visit. Cirl Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Spotless Starling, views. Other species typical of this beautiful place include Tawny Pipit, Sardinian Warbler, Stonechat, Turtle Dove and European Nightjar, Crag Martin and Blue Rock Thrush. In the Hoopoe are all likely too. bushes singing warblers include Sardinian, Subalpine and Dartford. Finally, on day nine we will drive back to Ajaccio, flying back to the UK via Nice. Mont Ventoux is the highest mountain in the area and supports a range of birds quite different from those in the PACE surrounding land. To see all its species you must ascend the Breakfast will be taken at about 7.30am most mornings. Basic full 6273 feet, but fortunately this can be done in the vehicle, fitness is all that is required. Day long birdwatching as there is a metalled road to the cafe at the summit. Regular excursions will be made and short/medium length walks on stops on the way up will produce a good variety of birds, the flat will be undertaken regularly. Visits to Les Alpilles and some in unusually high densities. Mt Ventoux will involve some uphill walking, but at a sensible pace. The first birds which we will come across may remind us of home and it will be the first time during the trip that we will ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD see Common Chiffchaff, Northern Wheatear, Mistle Thrush, Full-board accommodation is provided, with five nights at the Coal Tit, Wren, Dunnock and Chaffinch. The British Hotel des Granges, on the outskirts of Arles and three nights connection is further emphasized by Crested Tits, Black at the Hotel Dominique Colonna in Corte. All rooms have en Redstarts, Crossbills and Woodlarks, but when you see your suite bathrooms. Packed lunches will be taken every day. first singing male Rock Bunting or Western Bonelli’s Warbler you will know that this is no British mountain. Citril Finches PRICE INCLUDES ….. are one of Mont Ventoux's specialities and are found in good All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board numbers towards the summit. With a little patience we can accommodation (starting with dinner on 17 th , ending with normally get good views of this sprightly yellow, green and breakfast on 25 th ), soft drinks at meal times, local transport by grey jewel. A superb male Rock Thrush provided what we mini-bus, return flights to Nice, domestic flight to Ajaccio and expected to be the highlight of one trip, until, as we sat having airport taxes. our picnic in a lovely alpine meadow the shout of 'Black Woodpecker!' went up. Sightings of this spectacular species WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED have been obtained on most subsequent visits. Travel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry. On day six we will leave Arles and fly to Ajaccio on Corsica. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS CORSICA Return flight from Manchester to Nice using the scheduled On arrival in Corsica we will make the one and a half hour services of Jet2. Outbound flight departs early morning, drive to Corte, our base for the next three nights. From here return flight arrives back early evening. It is also possible to we will visit nearby mountains and forests, as well as the join this trip on direct flights from Leeds/Bradford and London. stunning north coast. Please call for details. On the doorstep of Corte is the scenically magnificent th th 8 nights : 17 to 25 May 2014 mountain valley of Restonica. Our excellent hotel nestles at the base of the gorge, providing outstanding scenery in every Principal leader: Paul J. Willoughby direction. Equally impressive is the Lammergeier, one of the star birds in this area and we shall spend some time scanning Maximum group size: 7 clients with one leader or ridges in order to see one. The species is holding its own 13 clients with two leaders here, testament to just how rugged and wild these mountains Cost with discount are. Also to be found is the Corsican Citril Finch, a beautiful (if you book before pine-loving bird which is only found on this island and st 1 February 2014): £1970 per person sharing neighbouring Sardinia and Elba. Golden Eagles may be seen soaring over distant crags and Full Cost: £2070 per person sharing Red Kites are found throughout the area.

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